David Cortight

David Cortright, professor of peace studies at Notre Dame University and author of Soldiers In Revolt – GI Resistance During The Vietnam War, notes the irony of being set on commitment to peace by the draft notice that arrived at his home 40 years ago, which led him to become what was then called a draft-induced volunteer. Cortright draws parallels between the GI resistance movements during the Vietnam war and today: war crimes hearings, ads and petitions, organizing on active-duty bases, and publications using whatever technology is at hand. “Then as now, we were lied to,” he says. “Then as now we realized that this war was wrong. Then as now we realized that our political leaders were placing us in impossible situations.” But the GI resistance movement played a crucial role in ending the Vietnam war because people in uniform refused to serve any longer, and the military machine began to break down. Because te power of the war makers depends on the consent of service people and the public, Cortright urges his listeners to keep organizing and resisting until this war is also over.